Southwark Life Housing News Summer 2015 by Southwark Council

SouthwarkSu mmer 2015 Life

Housing News WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE? 07 Willow Walk

eilly Street New homes at 1 O’Rsidents ready to welcome re

08 Focus on repairovsing e impr Innovative ways we ar our repairs service

16 Summer events

summer with Enjoy the best of thefree events our family friendly,

The magazine for Southwark Council tenants and leaseholders

Bilal Amin, communal repairs technical officer on the North Peckham estate

www.southwark.gov.uk/slhn

N I S ’ T A H W ? E U S S I S THI UMMER ISSUE OF S E H T O T E M O C WEL OUSING NEWS H FE LI K R A W H T SOU 16

ate summer on page ing In this issue we celebr most exciting upcom r ou of e m so ith w and 17 the brilliant Elephant and e th ng di clu in , ts en ev rday taking place on Satu Nun festival which is want to miss it. 15 August.You won’t vative on the new and inno We also update you our together to improve g kin or w e ar e w s u ay w d 9 and introduce yo an 8 ge pa on ice rv repairs se mmunal our fantastic new co of e on , in Am l la Bi to ers on page 10. repairs technical offic cy joy hearing from Nan en so al ll u’ yo re su I’m is part of our young ho w , 18 ge pa on d Hammon uthwark lls us all about her So te e Sh . am te rs so vi ad ople. e borough’s young pe and engaging with th Street g news that 1 O’Reilly in cit ex e th on u yo be completed We also update es at Willow Walk to m ho w ne r ou of st is the fir on page 7. me its first residents co el w to y ad re is d an e helping ng about ways we ar ni ar le on t ou iss m t r And don’ to learn all about ou 14 ge pa to rn Tu . le out our our young peop to page 15 to hear ab d an rs ve Sa t ar Sm k Southwar youth guarantee. we hope vice and much more ad ey on m , ns io tit pe h With com please do get in touc s, ay w al as d an ue you enjoy this iss or article ideas. with any comments Best wishes ne Cllr. Richard Livingsto FOR HOUSING CABINET MEMBER

hing to say about Do you have somet : sing News? Write to Southwark Life Hou s, ew N k Life Housing Letters, Southwar l, Southwark Counci Communications, 5, ub Second floor, H 160 Tooley Street, uk N@southwark.gov. H SL l ai em or H 2Q SE1

TWEET TWEET

e and say hi. We’re online – com @lb_southwark / w ww.facebook.com il southwarkcounc

THE SOUTHWARK LIFE HOUSING NEWS TEAM Editors Maria Valdivia and Kate Walwyn-Jones Contributors, Sally Causer, Helen Cundy, Paul Halpin, Lucy Lee, Monique McKenzie and Fariah Nanhoo Design Cubiquity

This is sexual exploitation. Watch out for your child having new things that you didn’t buy. Learn the signs and protect your child. www.southwark.gov.uk/learnthesigns

04 NEWS IN BR IEF

Need to know st in the borough ories making waves

0 6 NEW KITCHEN BATHROOMS S AND We upda te you on the la test improvements

10 A DAY IN THE L IFE... Bilal Amin tells us al

for a communal l about a typical day repairs technica l officer

12 ASK SALLY

Sally Causer of So uthwark Citizens Bureau answers your money quer Advice ies

13 HOME OWNE RSHIP SERVICES W e update you on

the recent news

14 SOUTHWARK SMART SAVERS The next genera tion

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18/06/2015 13:17

MySouthwark MyTime MyServices Council services at your fingertips Access your council services anywhere, anytime by signing up for your personalised MySouthwark account at www.southwark.gov.uk/mysouthwark

of savvy spende rs

15 YOUTH GUA RANTEE

How we are help ing school leaver s

18 MY SOUTHW ARK Nancy Hammon d talks about he r Southwark 20 COMPETITIO N TIME

100,000 MySouthwark users and counting MySouthwark 100,000 SLHN Ad.indd 1

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ITY N U M M O AC A LL R O F N E GARD

T BEKO PRODUC S E SAFETY NOTIC

There are currently some product safety notices out about faulty Beko appliances including some fridge freezers, tumble dryers and gas cookers.

If you think this might affect an appliance in your home you can check at www.beko.co.uk/safety or by ringing the customer care line on 0800 917 2018.

AGE UK

We have worked with Elmington estate residents and Brunswick Park primary school to design and revitalise the Benhill Road nature garden for everyone in the community to enjoy. From beautiful birds, flowers and butterflies, finding mini beasts and frogs, visiting a wildflower meadow, to viewing the Pied Piper mural, there are loads of things for you and your family to see. For more information visit www.southwark.gov.uk/benhillroad or call 020 7525 1215

100,000 ARK W H T U O S MY D USERS AN G COUNTIN MySouthwark, the council’s online self service portal, has reached a landmark 100,000 users.

If you are a business wanting to join then please email ywatkins-knight@ageuklondon.org.uk

k r a w h t u o S

Following the damaging fire in March 2013 we have developed a vision for the future of the Walworth Town Hall (WTH) with community support. The new facility will include an enhanced library space, the Cuming collection and Southwark Museum.

Southwark residents who live in the 20 controlled parking zones can now purchase and activate parking sessions for their visitors via the web, SMS or telephone. By simply creating a personal and secure account through the new online permit system, residents can have instant access to order parking for one hour, five hours or all day. For more information visit www.southwark.gov.uk/parking

Thank you for your patience whilst we have put the new arrangements in place, particularly to residents in some parts of the borough who may have experienced issues with their heating and hot water during that period.

There is also a flexible space for community and civic events, as well as ceremonies undertaken by the This will not affect the way you report repair issues, registrar’s service. Ultimately, we want the WTH to be but we hope it will mean we can provide you with a more efficient and responsive repairs service. a civic building right at the heart of the community. Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/wth

F E I R B N I PARKING NOW PERMITS DIGITAL

In May we mutually agreed with heating contractors T Brown to terminate their contract. Since then contractors OCO have taken over responsibility for these repairs until the contract runs out next year. OCO are one of our top performing contractors with a proven track record for service.

ARE YOU RED REGISTE ? TO VOTE

Each year we contact every household in the borough to collect up-to-date information for the electoral register. All homes in Southwark will shortly receive a letter from us that will include a household enquiry form (HEF) which you will need to return to us to let us know who should be registered to vote at your address. From this information we can then invite any members of your household who are not registered, to register. It is really important that you either send the letter back to us or get in touch online. If we don’t hear from you a canvasser will visit your address in the autumn. To find out more about how you can register online please go to www.southwark.gov.uk/vote

If you do have any further questions please contact Paul Gathercole, Southwark Council’s contract services manager on 020 7525 2625 or email paul.gathercole@southwark.gov.uk

ELEPHANT MAP T N E M Y O L P EM Hundreds of residents from across Southwark have found employment on one of the borough’s major regeneration sites – Elephant Park. A total of 379 people so far have been employed on the site, 166 of who were previously unemployed. All 379 employees will be on at least the London Living Wage as part of our commitment to fair pay.

N E WS

That’s a lot of reporting repairs in pyjamas, paying council tax while nipping out on a lunch break and renewing library books while stuck on the bus. To make sure you are up to date with all the ways it can make your life easier, sign up or log in to your account at www.southwark.gov.uk/ mysouthwark

The Age UK London Business Directory aims to help you avoid rogue traders by connecting you with traders that you can trust. The directory can be accessed online at www.aubdlondon.co.uk or by calling free on 0800 334 5056, where a member of staff will search the directory for you.

WN FROM TO IVIC HALL TO C BUILDING

TOR HEATING CONTRAC ANNOUNCED

Welcome to

G MAINTAINIONM ES: H Y T I L A U Q

IL C N U O C W E N OUR LK A W W O L L I W T HOMES A

S N E H C T I K NEW S M O O R H T A AND B

improvement programme s ou ti bi am an ed ch un We have la throom for every ba d an n he tc ki y it al to de liver a qu will of this programme, we rt pa s A . nt na te l ci coun d er than 20 ye ars an old ns he tc ki l al g in ac be repl 30 ye ars. bathrooms older than

CLLR RICHARD LIVINGSTONE, Cabinet member for housing

One of the estates that has already benefited from the improvement programme is the Hawkstone estate. Tenants on this estate have been given control over the design of their new kitchen and bathrooms, from choosing the layout to the door handles. 06

Are you one of the new 1 O’Reilly Street residents? Sign up to MySouthwark to find out wha t services are available in your area, pay you r rent and council tax, renew library books, report repairs and much more. Visit www.southwark.gov.uk /myso uthwark

EW HOMES? N D IL U B E W D L U O SH E R E WH We need you to tell us where you think we could build new council homes. Visit our interactive map and let us know at www.southwark.gov.uk/11000homes

We also want to hear your views on how to develop high quality council homes which support healthy and thriving communities. Your feedback will help us identify the most important design features, community facilities and amenities for our residents, such as improved lighting, green spaces and access to local shops. Join us at the following events: Bermondsey Carnival – 4 July Butterfly Walk, Camberwell – 11 July Eid festival – 17 or 18 July Peckham Square – 8 August The Elephant and the Nun festival – 15 August

HROOMS

WILLOW W ALK

AND BAT KITCHENS

Mrs Moody of Canute Gardens within the Hawkstone estate has lived in her home for over 35 years and recently had her new kitchen and bathroom replaced. “I’m very pleased with my new kitchen and bathroom. It was lovely being able to choose exactly how I wanted my kitchen to look.” If your home is due for the works we will be in touch to organise a survey to be taken.

“We are committed to providing the best quality council homes and improving housing standards in Southwark, and this new programme will see all council tenants with kitchens more than 20 years old and bathrooms more than 30 years old get brand new facilities.”

The first of our 11,000 new council homes, at 1 O’Reilly Street, Willow Walk, is now complete and welcoming its first residents. There are two blocks, one for general housing needs and one offering temporary accommodation.

For more housing information go to www.southwark.gov.uk/housing

Have your say online or check out our full programme at www.southwark.gov.uk/11000homes

FOCUS ON

? P L E H U O Y N A HOW C the borough,

S R I A P RE quality affordable e id ov pr to t n e m it m As part of our com d in several te s ve in ve a h e w sidents homes to all our re repairs. new ways to tackle

EPAIRS COMMUNAL R

LIMIT THE SKY’S THE

We are very proud to introduce our new communal repairs team. The team has been gradually recruited since last summer and has already made a huge difference to the repairs service. Each officer has their own area where they make sure any communal issues have been sorted or reported.You can learn more about a typical day for a communal repairs technical officer in our interview with Bilal Amin on page 10.

We have recently invested in next generation SkyVac gutter cleaning machines. They allow us to survey and clean gutters from ground level, without the need for expensive scaffolding or ladders. Look out for one on your estate; they are hard to miss.

N DAYS ESTATE ACTIO

Our new and improved estate action days now include the deep clean team who will leave your estate looking as good as new. The communal and housing repairs teams are also on site, as well as safer neighbourhood police, recycling experts and ground maintenance teams. Easy fix communal repairs are sorted on the spot.You can also report individual housing repairs or more complex communal issues. And if you have any repair or housing questions these are the people to answer them. To find out when an action day is coming to your estate go to www.southwark.gov/estateactiondays 08

ALL ABOARD

Ok it’s not new, but the mobile housing office makes its rounds across the borough every day, visiting different estates and key locations. So make sure you come aboard for friendly advice from council officers, or to login onto our housing services online. You can report repairs or antisocial behaviour, as well as follow up on any issues or concerns. All are welcome; there is assisted disabled access and comfortable interview areas, as well as the odd biscuit and cup of tea. To find out when the mobile office is coming to your area visit www.southwark.gov.uk/mobilehousingoffice

to look after across es m o h 0 0 ,0 es. 0 5 h it W erything themselv ev x fi ’t n ca am te and the housing n focus their time ca ey th so p el h r They need you x problems. le p m co re o m n o expertise

E VIDEOS FIX IT AT HOM

This is why we’ve produced a series of Fix it at Home videos to show you how to do simple repairs around your home. The videos cover a whole range of subjects from mould to blocked sinks and central heating problems. A blocked toilet for most of us is a daunting prospect. But by following our video, nine times out of ten, fixing it will take you five minutes max. You’ll be left flushed with success and you won’t be caught short waiting for a plumber. Go to www.youtube.co.uk/southwarkcouncil to check the videos out.

If you do need to report a repair make sure you are one of our 100,000 plus residents signed up to a MySouthwark account. It means you can report repairs, track appointments and check your repairs history online, all from the comfort of your duvet. It saves everyone time, there is no hanging on the phone and you can do it anytime, anywhere. Requests are instantly logged and appointments made. If any further communication is needed, you are given top priority and will receive an email from the team within half an hour during the day. So what are you waiting for? Go to www.southwark.gov.uk/ mysouthwark to sign up or log in to your account.

TY YOUR PROPER F O T U O G IN MOV

09 FOCUS ON

FOCUS ON REPAIRS

REPAIRS

Last but not least we ask that if you move out of your property you leave it in the same condition you found it. This includes removing any flooring, curtains or furniture you have put in. Clearing an empty property and making it ready for the next tenant costs the council around £7,000 a time. Multiply that by 1,600 to 2,000 vacated homes a year and it reaches mindboggling sums. This is why we are launching a new strategy for recharging people who don’t leave their home in the state set out in their tenancy agreement. So make sure you’re not hit with a big bill for ‘accidentally’ forgetting Great Aunt Maude’s favourite three piece suite. Go to www.southwark.gov.uk/movingout to find out more.

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TIRE THEM OUT IN BILAL LARM EPAIRS COMMUNA ER TECHNICAL OFFIC

“When I started six months ago, this estate was like a maze, now I know it like the back of my hand” says Bilal Amin. Bilal is one part of the new communal repairs technical team. Each member of the team is given an area or ‘patch’ to look after, in which they inspect and report on communal technical repairs. Bilal’s patch is in the south of the borough, and if you live in Peckham or Nunhead you may have seen him wandering around, inspecting all the external and internal communal areas to your estate.

Bilal also helps run estate action days on his patch. He is a big fan of these as he says, “they are really useful for getting a lot done. We have an extra budget for these so we can do some really useful things then and there which go beyond our normal remit. Last time I arranged the hire of a cherry picker for the day and it went around clearing guttering to those hard to reach places. I have also got people in to paint the communal areas which are great for giving a bit of a facelift.”

Bilal previously worked at the repair contact centre and his knowledge of the IT systems have stood him in good stead.

A DAY.. .

He normally gets in early to raise repair orders and write reports. Bilal will then go out onto an estate in the morning, come back to raise more repairs and go back out to the estate again in the afternoon. And then you guessed it, back to Bilal is responsible for a large area, the office for more report writing. of around 12 individual estates all As well as reporting new repairs, of different sizes, and the aim is he also needs to keep an eye on the to carry out an inspection on each progress of those he’s already raised. every month. This translates as an He is given a list each month of all inspection pretty much every day. His normal hours are 8am to 4pm but the repairs due for completion and These are booked in with the resident the team often goes above and beyond checks at least 60 to make sure they service officer and the local TRA. “We to make sure everything gets done. reach his standards. Bilal’s approach walk around the estate and inspect “It is a really intense job, and very busy is “if I had paid for the repair out of any repairs that are needed such as but there is a really good management my own pocket, would it be good blockages to drains, broken guttering, team in place. The team itself is great, enough?” he says. “If not I will raise underground leaks, smashed windows one of the best I’ve worked in. a recall on the job.” and that kind of thing,” he says. “It’s also very important to be aware We bounce ideas off each other and Even with all the challenges he is of health and safety, with things like there is a lot of support.” He adds, really enjoying the job. “I’ve always “there is also a lot of combined wanted to have a job where I get out knowledge in the team which and about and manage my own time. if I had paid for the repair really helps.” It’s really satisfying to see issues out of my own pocket, would it be get fixed and the condition of the estates improving.” good enough? If not I will raise a

“

recall on the job.

“

communal doors not operating correctly, slipped roof tiles or uneven paving that can become a trip hazard.”

FREE swim and gym if you’re

18 or under and live in Southwark Visit www.southwark.gov.uk/energise for times and to register

Fostering Is now the right time for you to foster with Southwark? Come to our drop-in sessions to find out more:

Fostering gives stability and support to children and young people who are unable to live with their families. In Southwark we especially need foster carers for teenagers and siblings. Do you have a spare bedroom and have time, enthusiasm and commitment to offer? You will receive excellent support, training and a generous allowance. If you live in Southwark, are approved as a Southwark foster carer and care for a Southwark child you will be exempt from council tax.

✓ Get the facts on fostering www.southwark.gov.uk/fostering

020 7525 4497 or 020 7525 0971

Mondays from 5pm to 7pm Domali Cafe 38 Westow Street SE19 3AH Thursdays from 9am to 11am Andersons 139 Bellenden Road SE15 4DH fostering@southwark.gov.uk

www.southwark.gov.uk/fostering

ASK SALLY

OUR ANSWERING Y NS... IO MONEY QUEST

t ed some advice abou ne s, rie or w ey ens on m ng r of Southwark Citiz se au C Whether you’re havi lly Sa s, e. fit ne tion about be ce you can really us vi ad e ns se on -n no loans or have a ques ard, has got straightforw Advice Bureau (CAB) r to door on en going from doo be s ha ne eo t om S ned they might no er nc co I’m d an my street ld I do? ader. What shou be a legitimate tr SALLY SAYS... As a general rule it is worth trusting your instincts – if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use cold calling and doorstep sales to target victims, so before agreeing or signing anything first tell someone you trust about the offer. Having this conversation with a family member, friend, or a good neighbour could stop you from losing money. Always take a moment to check out traders’ details. Check with the trader that they belong to a professional organisation, such as TrustMark, and then phone the organisation or look on their website to make sure it’s true. Legitimate traders should be happy for you to take their details and say you need more time to make a decision. Avoid handing over money before a job is started. A reliable trader won’t ask you to do this as they should have the money to cover materials until they are paid. If you are concerned about an offer, think you may have been caught out by a rogue trader, or are concerned for a neighbour, call the Citizens Advice helpline on 0345 404 0506. If you’ve been scammed, report it to the police and to Action Fraud.

A S K S A L LY

s lots of Southwark Over the past few month to access online residents have signed up wark. But did you services through MySouth ur service charge yo know you can also check information online?

ve already registered for Over 100,000 residents ha of these, almost 2,000 MySouthwark accounts – istered to view their homeowners have also reg rough MySouthwark. service charge accounts th re, so why not take a few It’s quick, simple and secu registration? minutes to complete your cess information on Once signed up you can ac d account balances at any service charge invoices an t of your own home. time, all from the comfor ark Log in to your MySouthw lin e th Step 1 account, then follow in thke to My housing services ction. MySouthwark services se t you Choose the type of accoun w and then provide Step 2 want to viereq will the details uested. You account need your service charge number and PIN. ners to access their Unique PINs for homeow post in October 2014. accounts were sent out by PIN, please contact us at If you haven’t received a

uthwark.gov.uk hsg.homeownership@so to have one sent to you.

GARAGES TO RENT garages for rent We have secure lock up ch offer value for across the borough whi edom. They may money, flexibility and fre hicles or for or ve be used for storing mot , with the exception other storage purposes mbustible items. of any flammable or co

cure Southwark The standard rent for a se seholder or a resident council tenant, resident lea ce charges is £18.62 freeholder who pays servi not fall within these a week. Anyone who does a private sector rent of categories will be charged e of VAT). £27.50 per week (inclusiv ove, we offer discounts In addition to the rates ab applicants. You are for older people or disabled rate of £5 off the entitled to a concessionary a Southwark council full rent provided you are lder, or a resident tenant, a resident leaseho ce charges, and fit one freeholder who pays servi of the following criteria: • You are over 70 and in receipt ou are registered disabled •Y transport. of a mobility allowance for map to view the You can use our interactive es. Just go to areas where we have garag /garagesmap www.southwark.gov.uk e, you can If you want to rent a garag online at fill out an application form /garagerent www.southwark.gov.uk act the garages Alternatively you can cont 0 7525 5630 or team directly by calling 02 ark.gov.uk emailing garages@southw

H IP

SALLY SAYS... The earlier you get help with debt problems the easier it is to get them sorted. Trying to carry on as if everything is normal can make things worse, as debts can pile up quickly. Letting your creditors, especially the council, know if you will be unable to pay them is key. It is important that you prioritise paying certain debts, such as the rent, council tax or energy bills, to keep a roof over your head and the heating on. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to get support through benefits, so it is worth checking this with the Department for Work and Pensions, or your local CAB. You can also contact the council’s Rightfully Yours team. Go to www.southwark.gov.uk/rightfullyyours to find out more or call 020 7525 7434. Drawing up a proper budget of your expenses can identify areas you can cut down on. Before you turn to a loan to cover costs, think carefully about future repayments and interest that will be due on the loan. CAB offer free, confidential and independent advice, can help you work out costs and negotiate with your GOT A QUESTION FOR SALLY? creditors, and may be able to help you get debt free Email SLHN@southwark.gov.uk by looking at the with money Sally can’t answer all letters personally but if you need help appropriate options 134. issues contact Southwark Citizens Advice Bureau on 0344 4994 available to you. about the For full details of opening times and more useful information ice.org.uk advice agencies in Southwark please visit www.southwarkadv

ge Check your service char account online through MySouthwark

HOME O W N ER S

I lost my job a few months ago. I’ve be en struggling with my finances for a while , and now it’s got to the point where I ca n’t afford bills like coun cil tax or my rent. I’m worried that if I ca n’t find a solution so on, I might be taken to court and evicted. I also owe money to my bank and on cr ed it cards. What can I do?

HOME HIP S R E N W O S E C I V R SE

SWC001_Youth Guarantee Ad_SLHN_280hx210w_AW_OL.pdf

ITH W N I S D I U Q E B L YOUR KIDS WIL

K R A W H T SOU S R E V A S SMART

Do you squirrel it away or spend in a day? Pinch pennies or pay through the nose? Southwark Council has teamed up with London Mutual Credit Union to help everyone save smarter, starting with 11 year olds.* £10 vouchers have been sent to every year 6 and year 7 child living in Southwark as part of new council initiative Southwark Smart Savers. To claim the £10, children just have to take their voucher to one of five London Mutual Credit Union branches in the borough and deposit their £10 into a new or existing savings account. As well as this, every child who claims their voucher will be entered into a draw to win one of six iPad minis.**

If your child saves: £5 a month for one year = £60 = A new pair of trainers £5 a month for six years = £360 = 14 driving lessons when they turn 17 5 a month for ten years £ = £600 = Return flights to Thailand for that first adventure holiday.

The scheme is designed to give young people experience of money matters, budgeting and handling cash to teach them how to be financially responsible and independent when they’re older, creating a What is London Mutual? generation of Southwark Smart Savers. With the great Lon don Mutual Credit Union is a not for pro services that London Mutual offer, we’re hoping mums fit org anis ation offering a safe and convenient plac and dads get involved too, as it’s never too late to start e to save and loans at a very reasonable rate saving. And you don’t have to save a lot – put aside of interest. a little every month and you’ll be It is estimated that as many as five per cent laughing all the way to the of people in the UK have no bank accoun t a te at all. In a climate where some are credit union. H e lp us to c re a turning to extortionate payday loans outhwark ge ne ration of S m to pay the rent or buy clothes for their e th lp and he Smart Save rs, chil dren, the council are determined to l nanc ia ound fi s e k a m to o rn help a residents find positive alternatives. le hout Find out more about London Mutual at de c isions throug www.creditunion.co.uk the ir live s.

*Children living in Southwark who were or will be 11 years old between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2015 are eligible for the current scheme. **Terms and conditions apply, see www.southwarks.gov.uk/smartsavers for details.

ERS SMART SAV

eme, If you have any questions about the sch yet or if your child is eligible but you haven’t at us ail em received your voucher, please ov.uk southwarksmartsavers@southwark.g

08/06/2015

16:52

T THE ELEPHAN AND THE NUN The Elephant and the Nun returns on Saturday 15 August, from 12pm to 8pm in Burgess Park, SE5. This large, free family festival features a weird and wonderful mix of events and activities guaranteed to capture the imagination. Expect fantastic performances on the music and dance stages and lots to do in the family area. There is also a food village, an African market and funfair. The festival welcomes back Kinetika Bloco, an exuberant performance group of over 100 young musicians and dancers from Southwark and Lambeth. You won’t miss them as they don colourful costumes, with performances influenced by the Caribbean, Brazil, west and southern Africa and New Orleans jazz, funk and hip hop.

RIES: O T S S R A I R F K BLAC TS AND BOUNCING CA PS PU BOOM BOOM On 9, 10 and 11 July, come on a journey into the world of AnimaLand, where beat box and rap come together set within a graffiti maze. Join spoken-word artist Maxwell Golden and graffiti artist Mr Dane in this outdoor, immersive and fun packed adventure for children and their families. There will be performances during the day and after school.

TORIES: S S R A I R F K C A BL I20) (G S E T U N I M 0 2 GONE IN Gone in 20 minutes will feature spectacular street theatre and music plus street and contemporary dance. Blackfriars Stories will be hosting the first of two London showcase events on Friday 28 August, with 12 performances between 12pm and 6pm on the southbank between Coin Street and Tate Modern. Six emerging outdoor artists have been commissioned to create groundbreaking new work as part of a national outdoor arts development programme, supported by Arts Council England and produced by Remarkable Productions in association with Event International.

N U F R E M M SU vents e ily m a f f o e m m ked progra c a p m ja a s t n e s Southwark pre ORD BE A READING REC ER M BREAKER THIS SUM Children of all ages can learn about weird, wonderful and wacky records from around the world as part of this year’s record breaker Summer Reading Challenge from Saturday 11 July until Sunday 6 September. We have a range of fun and interactive activities for children and young people to take part in and our third Southwark libraries graphic art competition will run during the summer holidays. S U M M ER

If you’re not already a Southwark library member it’s free and easy to join.

E V EN TS

o to your local library or visit G www.southwark.gov.uk/libraries to find out more about how you can get involved.

There are lots of fun BMX bike activities taking place at Burgess Park. The whole family can get into gear with this disciplined sport through trying out bike limbo, relay races and skills to impress on the BMX track. The Burgess Park BMX track is also available for hire. Get on track with an organised school holiday activity, child’s birthday party, local community cycling opportunity, or a corporate event. Find out more by calling 020 8546 9842, or visit www.southwark.gov.uk/burgessparkBMX @BurgessParkBMX

If you have cupboards full of old stuff that are just not used anymore but are in perfectly good condition, there’s still a chance for you to host your own Rumble in the Jumble stall and raise a bit of cash for yourself or a charity of your choice. To host a stall at The Elephant and the Nun, please apply by Monday 13 July at

Rotherhithe Festival will be taking place on Saturday 11 July, from 11am to 9pm, where visitors can enjoy music, entertainment and food. This wonderful, free local event will be taking place at King Georges Fields, SE16.

: GET INVOLVED VOLUNTEER Volunteering at events is a great way to meet new people, see behind the scenes, gain useful work experience and a chance to give something back to your community. For more information visit www.southwark.gov.uk/stewards For more information on our upcoming events, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/southwarkpresents Follow us on twitter @southwarkevents Check out all the highlights of last year’s events programme with our YouTube video at www.youtube.co.uk/southwarkcouncil

www.southwark.gov.uk/summertrading

SUMMER EVENTS

GET ON YOUR BIKE

: GET INVOLVED E RUMBLE IN TH JUMBLE

ROTHERHITHE FESTIVAL

D N O M M A H Y C N A N R AND O S I V D A G N U YO T N E D I S E R K SOUTHWAR Tells us about her Southwark…

What’s your connection to the borough? I live in East Dulwich, near Goose Green. I also work in the borough as part of the council’s young advisors scheme. The scheme runs projects across the borough, helping to empower young people to speak up about issues and pursue their interests. I’ve been in working on a project in Peckham for ten months.

What is your role as a young advisor? My role is mainly split between mentoring and a programme called Street Base. Street Base is normally held most nights of the week and teams of us go out to different areas, such as Burgess Park, where we talk to young people who spend time there. We try and engage with them about their passions and interests. If they agree we pass that information on to the relevant agencies who contact them about how to pursue their interests.

Thursday is my mentoring day at the base in Peckham. We normally have a topic for the week and anybody aged nine to 18 can come along to get advice. It is about helping young people make positive choices about their future. We get a good turn out of people especially when it’s a nice day. We also help out at council events a lot, such as the Weighting circus show at Dulwich Park.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

What would you do if you were leader of the council for a day? I’d organise a really good event, one for everyone to take part in. Maybe a community sports day which I’d hold in one of the parks. I’d want to bring the whole community together.

One place someone new to the borough should go?

What do you love about Southwark?

Football, I play for the London Phoenix LFC. Especially girls, I’d tell them to go and join a team, even if it’s not at a high level. Girls aren’t normally encouraged to play football but it is a great sport.

Best park in the borough?

K ERWSAHRIP WUNTH SO H O MMEYO

LFC

I just enjoy engaging with young people. I think they find it easier to talk to us because we’re a similar age to them. And I think they find it easier to trust us because we are also young people and we’re talking for them. The different young advisor teams stick to the same areas of the borough so people get to know who we are and build up a relationship with us.

There is always lots of things going on. It’s a diverse community but everyone comes together when there are events going on.

In 2014/2015 young advisors engaged with over 2,000 young people through Street Base.

London Ph oenix

Burgess Park. It’s really big and there are loads of things you can do. There are football pitches, tennis courts and a BMX track. It’s also a good shortcut to other places; it’s much nicer to walk through than going around the outside.

To find out more about the young advisors scheme go to southwark.youngadvisors.org.uk

Dulwich Park is nice, especially on a sunny day. There are tennis courts and a boating lake.

What is your favourite thing to do in your spare time?

What’s your favourite place to unwind? Dulwich Woods are ten minutes from my home. It’s really quiet and on a nice day you can sit and look over at the Shard. You can walk all the way from Dulwich to Sydenham through it.

Want to share your Southwark with Southwark Life Housing News? Email SLHN@southwark.gov.uk and let us know what makes the borough special to you.

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Levi Quebomra was the lucky winner last issue.

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Tel: 020 7525 2600 Mon to Fri – 8am to 6pm RENT Pay by Direct Debit: 020 7525 2600 Pay by debit/credit card: 0845 6000 611 (24hrs) Pay online: www.southwark.gov.uk/payforit To pay in person: There are 162 PayPoints and 17 Post Offices where you can pay housing rent, council tax and social care contributions. Contact us to obtain an LBS swipe card. To find your nearest PayPoint go to www.paypoint.co.uk / paypointlocator To pay by post: London Borough of Southwark Income Collection Business Unit PO BOX 11767 153-159 Abbeyfield Road London SE16 3ZF REPAIRS Tel: 0800 952 4444 Online: www.southwark.gov.uk/repairs UTILITIES (emergencies) Electricity: 0800 096 9000 Gas: 0800 111 999 Water: 0845 200 800

There are five slight differences in the two pictures of Nelly (Helen) Orford, an award winning Hula Hoop artist performing at the Weighting circus spectacular in Dulwich Park. Can you spot them?

Print off and send your completed competition entries to Southwark Council, Southwark Life Housing News, Communications team, PO BOX 64529 by 15 August 2015. The winner will be notified by letter. The information you provide will be used fairly and lawfully. Southwark Council will not knowingly do anything which may lead to the breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.

LEASEHOLDERS/ FREEHOLDERS Home ownership unit Mon to Fri – 9am to 5pm Tel: 020 7525 1400 Email: hsg.homeownership@ southwark.gov.uk Southwark Antisocial Behaviour Unit Tel: 020 7525 5777 Email: sasbu@southwark.gov.uk Web: www.southwark.gov.uk/sasbu Southwark Homesearch Bidding hotline: 0845 270 0655 Bidding text line: 07781 486 526 Advice line: 020 7525 4140 www.southwarkhomesearch.org.uk WRITE TO SOUTHWARK LIFE HOUSING NEWS The Editor Southwark Life Housing News Communications team PO BOX 64529 London SE1P 5LX or email SLHN@southwark.gov.uk